Direction indicator and control for radioantenne



" March 17, 1931. D 1,796,988

DIRECTION INDICATOR AND CONTROL FOR RADIO ANTENNAE Filed May 5, 1928 Patented 17, 1931 A, teases rEZtTEhET @FFEQE Earn n. HAND, or new YORK, n. Y.

DIRECTION INDICATUR. AND CONTROL FOR RADIOANTENNE Application filed May 5, 1928. Serial No. 275,273. 'l

This invention relates generally to radio antennae and has more particular reference to a novel indicator and control device for determining the position and adjusting the position of antenna.

The i-vention has for an object the provision of a device of the class mentioned which is of simple durable construction, desirable and efiicient in action, and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

The device proposes the use of awheel provided with a plurality of contacts connected with resistances on the wheel in a consecutive increasing or decreasing order. An antenna is carried by this wheel and the directional position thereof determined by the position of the wheel. The said contacts are arranged for indicating the position of the antenna with respect to north, east, south, and west, and divisional positions thereof. A means for rotating the wheel is connected therewith, and controlled by a switch. The contacts of the wheel are wired in a circuit for actuating an electric indicator for determining the position of the contacts and thus, of the antenna.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a material part of this disclosure:

rig. 1 is a perspective view, diametrically arranged showing a loop antenna connected with a radio set according to this invention.

2 is a horizontal sectional view taken immediately below the cover of the casing for supporting the antenna, and schematic wiring being applied to this view.

3 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

*ig. i is an enlarged fragmentary detail view of a portion of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a modified form of the resistance carrying disc of the device.

The reference numeral 10 indicates generally a radio set spaced from and connected with a loopantenna 11 which is supported upon a vertical shaft 12 rotatively mounted in a casing 13, and a wheel let is attached to this shaft. The wheel 14: is formed on its periphery with worm teeth 15 meshing with a worm pinion 16 on the motor 17.

1 plurality of contacts 18 are arranged in a circle on the top face of a disc 14 looselv mounted. on the shaft 12 and flexibly con nected with the wheel 14 by a spring 14', and contacts 18 are equally spaced, and are tapped to a resistance winding 19 on the disc in a consecutive increasing or decreasing order depending uponthe direction of wheel rotation.

A contact 20 is attached to'the casing 13 and insulation therefrom, and engaging against the top surface ofthe disc forfcontacting with the contacts 18. The innercend of the winding 19 and the contact 20 are in an electrical circuit 21 which includes a battery 22, a switch 23 and an, indicator-24. The switch 23 and the indicator are preferably mounted on the front panel of the radio set 10. Preferably there are sixteen. contacts indicated by the numerals 18, in all, and these contacts are intended to indicate directional positions of theJantenna- 11 such as north, east, south and west and divisional positions thereof.

Attached to the bottom of the disc la is a star gear 25 having a point for each of the contacts 18 and spaced between the contacts. This star wheel is engageable by a pointed stop 26 provided with a rear rod 27 slidable in a bracket 28. Behind the bracket this rod is attached to the core of a solenoid 29.

Themo'tor 17 and the solenoid 29 are con- 90 nected in a circuit including a switch 30 preferably mounted on the front panel of the set 10, and a battery 31. The pointer 26 is normally urged against the star wheel 25 for holding the disc 14' in position so that the 95 contact 20 connects with one of the contacts 18, by'an expansion spring 32 acting between the standard 28 and the pointer 26.

In operation, the switch 23 may be closed forenergizing the indicator 24 to show which contact 18 connects with the contact 20, and the star wheel, and means for lifting the stop thus indicating the direction of the antenna off from the star gear.

11. Preferably the indicator 24: is calibrated into sixteen divisions to correspond with the sixteen points 18. The switch 80 may be closed for energizing the solenoid 29 to lift stop 26 free from the star wheel, and to en ergize the motor 17 to rotate wheel 14 and the antenna 11 which may thus be moved to a new position. With the switch 23 closed the new positions are indicated on the indicator 24, and switch 30 may be quickly opened for holding any desired new position.

When the switch 30 is opened the motor .17 stops, and the pointed stop 26 engages the star wheel 25 for correctly positioning the In testimon signature.

disc 14 so that contact 20 engages one of the contacts 18, the spring 14 permitting this arrangement.

The modifiedform of the resistance carrying disc 14? shows the contacts 18 connected with a plurality of resistance coils 19, and one of the contacts 18 is connected by wire 33 to a disc ground such as the shaft 12, and between this contact 18 and one ofthe adjacent contacts 18 a resistance coil is omitted.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodnient of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming Within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is 1. In a device of the class described, a

shaft for supporting an antenna, a driver wheel fixed on the shaft, a disc loosely mounted on the shaft, a spring flexibly connecting the disc and wheel, a plurality of contacts arranged in a circle on top of the disc, a star gear havinga point for each contact and attached to the disc, and a pointed stop member slidably mounted and normally urged against the star wheel.

2. In a device of the class described, a shaft :7

for supporting an antenna,'a driver wheel fixed on the shaft, a disc loosely mounted on the shaft, means for flexibly connecting the disc and wheel, a plurality of contacts arranged in a circle on top of the disc, a star 7 gear having a point for each contactand at disc and wheel, a plurality of contacts arranged in a circle on top of the disc, .a star gear having a polnt for each contact and attachedto the disc, a pointed stop member slidably mounted and normally urged against y whereof I have aflixed my ERLE H. HAND.

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